The tribe says the patient is a 29-year-old woman. She gave birth to a baby boy while still in the Hacienda HealthCare facility on Dec. 29.

"On behalf of the tribe, I am deeply shocked and horrified at the treatment of one of our members," San Carlos Apache Chairman Terry Rambler said in a statement.

"When you have a loved one committed to palliative care, when they are most vulnerable and dependent on others, you trust their caretakers. Sadly, one of her caretakers was not to be trusted and took advantage of her. It is my hope that justice will be served."

Officials with the San Carlos Apache Police Department say they will assist the Phoenix Police Department in any way possible to find the perpetrator.

Phoenix police first became aware of the situation when they responded to a report of an infant who had coded at Hacienda de Los Angeles, 1402 E. South Mountain Ave. at 3:42 p.m. on Dec. 29.

When officers arrived, they found an incapacitated woman who had delivered a baby. Both were then transported to a local hospital, a police report says. A sexual assault investigation is ongoing, police say.

The woman's family released a statement through Phoenix lawyer John Micheaels this week, saying the baby boy was born into a loving family and will be well cared for.

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In its statement, the family said they are "outraged, traumatized and in shock" and not emotionally ready to make a public statement.

Authorities say the woman who gave birth had been a resident at the facility for many years. AzFamily.com, the CBS affiliate that broke the story, has reported that the woman has been in the facility since a near-drowning more than 10 years ago.

Detectives are appealing to the community for assistance in identifying the perpetrator. Anyone with information can contact the department's violent crimes bureau at 602-262-6141. To remain anonymous, contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO (480-837-8446) for Spanish.